Paradise Cove Luau A pretty authentic Luau that's in beautiful Ko'olina (resort with several lagoons) They do fire knife dances and the whole pig cooking in the ground thing.
Rainbow Drive-In Recommendations: Mix Plate, Boneless Chicken, Chili Dog
Ono Hawaiian Recommendations: Laulau, Chicken Long Rice, Lomi Salmon, Kalua Pig, Pipikaula
Leonard's Bakery Recommendations: Malasadas!
Waiola Shave Ice Recommendations: Shave Ice of course! Try the Li-Hing flavor.
Matsumoto's Shave Ice Recommendations: Shave Ice of course! Try the Li-Hing flavor. Go to this place over Waiola if you only have time for one.
Zippy's Recommendations: One of the chili plates. Chili moco, Chili chicken mix plate, Portuguese sausage eggs and rice for breakfast, loco moco.
Coco Ichibanya Curry House Recommendations: Stewed Chicken, Fried Oysters, Mixed Mushrooms
Tanioka's Recommendations: Poke!!!! Limu, Shoyu, Spicy Ahi, Spicy Mussel
Goma-Tei Recommendations: I always get the Tantan Ramen here
Side Street Inn Recommendations: Side Style Famous Fried Rice, Kimchee Fried Rice, Misoyaki Chicken, Kalbi, Chicken Katsu
Fumi's Shrimp Truck Or any other shrimp truck really. Garlic shrimp is great.
Itchy Butt No recommendations but I heard from the locals that this place is great.
Island Vintage Coffee Recommendations: Coconut Kona Mocha Frap I think there's also another location near Ala Moana.
Soons BBQ Recommendations: Meat Jun mmmmmm.
Boots & Kimo's Recommendations: Banana Pancakes with Macadamian nut sauce
Helena's Recommendations: Haupia (cononut jelly/pudding-like dessert), pipikaula (Hawaiian style short ribs)
Poke The traditional Hawaiian fish dish. Get it from any local supermarket or corner shop. Guaranteed to be good. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND KEEAUMOKU SEAFOOD (https://www.yelp.com/biz/keeaumoku-seafood-honolulu). Not only does their poke rock, their tuna belly is amazing.
Kailua Beach Great all around beach for hanging out and picnics
Ko'olina Lagoons Beautiful man-made lagoons with a gorgeous resort. Ideal for hanging out and catching the sunset.
Sandy Beach Rougher beach, good for body boarding. Waves break faster. Crowded.
Waimanalo Beach Quiet beach, good waves for beginning boarding. Nice for picnics, really fine sand.
Pearl Harbor / USS Arizona Memorial This is the navy base that the Japanese bombed in WWII. Great place to see, especially if you love history. The Memorial is a floating structure above the wreckage of the USS Arizona.
Waikiki Beach Walk This is THE PLACE to go as a tourist. Many restaurants and shops, and it's all along the beach! This starts at the intersection of Kapahulu and Kalakaua and goes down Kalakaua for a mile or so.
Hanauma Bay This amazing beach has great sites! Best place for snorkeling, you can see all sorts of fish in the coral reef. Closed on Tuesdays. Arrive early because parking fills up and is closed by mid-morning. If you arrive and it's closed, be sure to check out the nearby Makapu'u Point and it's lighthouse (hikes section).
Kualoa Ranch Tons of movies and TV shows are filmed here. Daily tours by limo, horses, ATVs. My roommates family owns this ranch, let me know if you're interested in going. I might be able to arrange something.
Polynesian Cultural Center Definitely get the Luau package if you come here. It's a great experience. It's basically a giant place where you buy a day ticket and can go to shows to learn about different Polynesian cultures. Luau here is great with an authentic Kalua pig, and lots of Hawaiian dishes.
Pillbox Great if you can go early in the morning to see the sunrise. Pretty easy and short hike, but not recommended if it is raining or rained overnight.
Diamond Head Very touristy hike, a small admission for parking and to get in. Beautiful views of the city and surrounding valley from the top. You could also just admire Diamond Head from afar (visible from Waikiki Beach Walk).
Koko Head More strenuous hike with over 500 steps to get up to the top of the hill, but great workout and great views from the top.
Makapu'u Lighthouse Hiking trail with a great lighthouse at the end. Views of the Pacific Ocean and Hanauma Bay.
Waimea Falls Short hike leading to beautiful waterfalls and swimming area.